πολλαὶ χῆραι ἦσαν … ἐν τῷ Ἰσραήλ. So far from trying to flatter them, He tells them that His work is not to be for their special benefit or glorification, but that He had now passed far beyond the limitations of earthly relationships.

ἔτη τρία καὶ μῆνας ἔξ. Such was the Jewish tradition (Jalkut Shimeoni on 1 Kings 16) as we see also in James 5:17 (comp. Daniel 12:7; Revelation 11:2-3; Revelation 13:5). The Book of Kings only mentions three years (1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 17:8-9; 1 Kings 18:1-2), but in the “many days” it seems to imply more. 3½ being the half of 7 had a mystic significance. In the symbolism of numbers it indicated periods of misfortune, as in Daniel 12:7. See Lightfoot Hor. Hebr. ad loc.

λιμὸς μέγας. In Luke 15:14; Acts 11:28 λιμὸς is fem. as in Doric.

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Old Testament